If:
- you are no longer eligible for Ontario Disability Support Program Income Support because your income is too high, and
- you and your family have high health costs
you and your family may be eligible for the Extended Health Benefit.
Depending on your health care needs, the Extended Health Benefit may help with the cost of:
- prescription drugs
- basic dental care
- vision care
- medical supplies, such as diabetic and incontinence supplies
- transportation to and from medical appointments, and
- assistive devices, including hearing aids.
How do you qualify for the Extended Health Benefit?
We look at your income to calculate how much Income Support you should get. Some income reduces your Income Support (for example, Canada Pension Plan benefits, earnings, child support).
If your income reduction is greater than your Income Support amount, you would no longer be eligible for Income Support. The difference is called excess income.
|
Example:
Jane has started receiving $1,100 in Canada Pension Plan (CPP) monthly disability benefits. Before receiving CPP payments, she received $1,020 per month in Income Support. Her CPP payments reduce her Income Support dollar for dollar.
Her excess income is $80 ($1,100 - $1,020).
NOTE: Some types of income do not reduce Income Support dollar for dollar. There are many rules about the treatment of income.
|
If your health costs are greater than your excess income, you may be eligible for the Extended Health Benefit.
|
Example continued:
Jane’s health costs are $100 per month. Since her health costs ($100) are greater than her excess income ($80), she may be eligible for the Extended Health Benefit, even though she will no longer receive Income Support.
|
You may continue to receive the Extended Health Benefit as long as you qualify. If your circumstances change, you must notify your local Ontario Disability Support Program office.
How do I get the Extended Health Benefit?
Contact your local Ontario Disability Support Program office. You will have to provide proof of your health costs, such as a list of your prescription drug costs from your pharmacy and receipts for other health costs.
Based on this information, your worker will determine if you are eligible for the Extended Health Benefit. We will send you a letter to tell you if you have been approved.
If you do not qualify for the Extended Health Benefit
If you do not qualify for the Extended Health Benefit, you may still be eligible for the Transitional Health Benefit if you leave the Ontario Disability Support Program for paid work and do not have similar health coverage from your employer.
Also, you can apply to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Trillium Drug Program for help with your prescription drug costs.
You can get an application for the Trillium Drug Program:
- at your local pharmacy, or
- by calling the Trillium Drug Program at 1-800-575-5386.